Clipping Container and Sound Dampener for a Nail Clipper

ABSTRACT

A device for enclosing a typical nail clipper for the purpose of collecting virtually all nail clippings, including clippings that are discharged from the clipper at an angle less than 90 degrees from the face of the clipping surface, further comprising a sound dampening spring that is positioned between the upper and lower sections of the typical nail clipper.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/380,615, filed on Aug. 29, 2016.

BACKGROUND ON THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a covering for nail clipper with a compartment for catching and disposing of the loss nail clippings produced during use. Currently nail clipping devices for the collection of nail clippings are well established in the art. A typical device attaches to an ordinary nail clipper, for finger or toe nail clipping, and collects the clippings that are produced and ejected at an angle of 90 degrees or more to the face of the clipping surface.

There exists in the art a need for a device that works in conjunction with a nail clipper that collects clippings that are discharged from the clipper at an angle less than 90 degrees from the face of the clipping surface, or toward the front of the clipper when in use. The present invention addresses this need.

In addition, there exists a need in the art for a device that muffles the clipping sound produced by the nail clipper when clipping a nail. The present invention addresses this need as well.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in the preferred embodiment, comprises two pieces that both attach to a typical nail clipper to collect and dispose of clippings produced by the clipper when clipping a nail and serves to muffle the sound of the clipping motion. The first piece is the rear section of the invention and serves as a collection compartment that attaches to the clipper from the non-clipping end and encases the handle portion of the clipper, allowing the arm of the clipper to operate.

The second piece is the front section of the invention and sits on the front clipping face of the nail clipper. This piece is large enough to encase the front of the nail clipper and has an opening to allow the nail to fit through for clipping. This piece of the invention also comprises a spring-loaded encumbrance that sits between the arm and the base of the clipper to aid in reducing the force of the clipper and muffling the sound while allowing the clipper to function as intended. When the clipping arm is compressed, the first piece of the invention catches any clipping directed toward the rear side of the clipper, while the first piece directs the nail into position and collects any clippings that are directed toward the front-end, away from the clipping face of the nail clipper.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is the font section of the invention, showing the opening for the nail insertion, and the hole in the top of the section that clips into the nail clipper to secure the invention into place.

FIG. 2 is the front facing view looking into the front section of the invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear facing view of the front section of the invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top down view of the front section of the invention shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a bottom up view of the front section of the invention shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a drawing of the front section, 14, and the rear section, 30, of the invention. The typical nail clipper, not part of the invention, is shown as 35 to depict how the invention is applied to the typical nail clipper for use. FIG. 7 is the invention as applied to the typical nail clipper, with the front section of the invention and the rear section of the invention secured in place on the typical nail clipper. The front face of the front section of the invention is transparent in this figure and the opening, 16, for the insertion of a finger or toe nail is shown.

FIG. 8 is identical to FIG. 7, with the exception that the front face of the front section of the invention is not transparent. FIG. 9 shows the spring insert, 25, in place to limit the sound of the typical nail clipper.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the preferred embodiment, the present invention serves to encase a typical nail clipper for the purpose of collecting and disposing of the nail clippings. Additionally, the present invention provides a means for limiting the sound of a typical nail clipper in operation by placing a spring device in between the cutting blades of the typical nail clipper. FIG. 1 depicts the front section of the invention that is placed over the front end of the typical nail clipper and locked into place by the hole in the top of the front section of the invention, 17, which is placed in a position so that the cylindrical protrusion of the typical nail clipper can fit through the hole, holding the front section of the invention in place. There is an opening, 16, in the front section of the invention 15, whereby a nail, either a finger or toe nail, is inserted prior to clipping. There is a cut-out in the top of this section, with 12 and 13 representing the sides of the invention that are positioned over the typical nail clipper, and the opening formed by the cut-out between 12 and 13 that allows the lever on the typical nail clipper to operate. FIG. 2 depicts a front facing view of the front section of the invention, with 16 being the opening for the nail. FIG. 3 is a rear facing view of the front section of the invention, which depicts the top upper sections, 12 and 13, that are positioned at a slight downward pitch to follow the shape of the typical nail clipper. The actual dimensions of the invention can be altered to accurately reflect the plurality of sizes present in the art for typical nail clippers.

In the preferred embodiment, FIG. 4 is a top down view of the front section of the invention. The area on the top of the section between 12 and 13 is the opening allowing for the lever of the typical nail clipper to operate. The hole, 17, on the top surface of this section, allows the cylinder of the typical nail clipper to securely fit through and aids in holding the invention in position while in use. FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the front section of the invention that is solid and serves to create an enclosure around the typical nail clipper to ensure clippings from a nail are held within the invention while in use.

In the preferred embodiment, FIG. 6 depicts both the front section, 14, and the rear section of the invention, 30, expanded and not secured in place for use on the typical nail clipper, 35. The hole in front section of the invention, 17, allows the cylinder on the typical nail clipper to protrude through the front section of the invention and aids in keeping the invention removably secured to the typical nail clipper for use. In FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the front face, 40, of the front section of the invention is transparent. In one embodiment, the front face, 40, of the front section of the invention is held able to be detached from 3 sides of the front section of the invention and removably held in place with a connection to the top side and with a hook and loop fastener, 45, or similar fastening device, connecting the front face, 40, of the front section of the invention to bottom side of the front section of the invention.

In the preferred embodiment, FIG. 7 depicts the present invention in place over the typical nail clipper. The front section of the invention is comprised of a solid enclose on the top, bottom, left and right side. The front face of the front section of the invention has an opening in the size and shape to allow a typical nail to be inserted through the opening, also shown as 16 in FIG. 1. The nail clipper is utilized as intended, with the inserted nail being clipped, and all clippings being collected by the enclosure created by the invention. The position of the flap allows for virtually all the nail clippings to be collected into the invention, including nail clippings that are discharged from the clipper at an angle less than 90 degrees from the face of the clipping surface (away from the typical nail clipper and back toward the user). FIG. 8 is another embodiment of the invention whereby the front section of the invention is molded as one single piece, including the front face of the front section of the invention, with the opening for the finger or toe nail shown as 16.

In the preferred embodiment, a spring device is placed between the upper and lower sections of the typical nail clippers, shown in FIG. 9. With the spring device in place, sound is lowered when the user compresses the typical nail clipper clip a nail inserted into the device. Both the spring and the presence of the invention acting as an enclosure serve to limit the sound created by the clipping motion of the typical nail clipper. 

We claim:
 1. A device for collecting nail clippings to be utilized with a typical nail clipper comprising: A. a first section comprised of a bottom section, two side sections, a top section and a section to enclose the device at the end distal to the cutting side of the clipper, whereby: a. the first section is slid over the typical nail clipper from the non-clipping side and a compartment is created where nail clippings can be contained; B. a second section comprised in a cube shape with one side removed, with an opening cut into the side of the cube shaped section opposite the removed side, whereby; a. the second section is slid over the front portion of the typical nail clipper and securely and temporarily attaches to the first section, encasing the cutting portionof the typical nail clipper; b. the opening cut in the side of the cube opposite the removed side is able to accept a typical finger nail or toe nail from a typical human being;
 2. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one spring positioned between the upper and lower sections of the typical nail clipper.
 3. The method for collecting nail clippings whereby the user attaches the device in claim 1 to a typical nail clipper, comprising: a. depressing a finger or toe nail of a human being in to the opening cut in the side of the cube opposite the removed side; b. compressing the lever of the typical nail clipper to clip the finger or toe nail; c. removing the first and second sections of the device of claim 1 from the typical nail clipper; and d. emptying the nail clippings in a suitable waste receptacle.
 4. The method of claim 3, whereby at least one spring is positioned between the upper and lower section of the typical nail clipper for the means of reducing the sound produced by the clipping motion of the typical nail clipper. 